Today is the Solemnity of Mary’s Assumption, her being taken up to heaven. “The Assumption was God's way of finishing the job he started at Mary's Immaculate Conception, redeeming her body from the effects of sin as well,” says a website explaining the dogma of the Assumption.What are the main sentiments that go with this Solemnity, according to my faith experience? One is JOY for a life and a mission that “ends well.” Mary’s participation in the suffering of her Son was not indifferent. I’ve always believed that she had her moments of trials too but she never gave up. She never stopped believing the angel’s words to her: “Nothing is impossible with God.”
The second sentiment is HOPE. "it is our hope that belief in Mary's bodily Assumption into heaven will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective" says the dogma Munificentissimus Deus n. 42
The sweetest melody that e’er did sound
In mortal ears, stealing the soul away,
Like thunder bursting from a cloud were found
if matched beside that lyre’s roundelay
ringing the sapphire, whence, ensapphirined,
the brightest sphere of heaven was made more gay.
“Of the angelic loves am I, and wind
circling the joy sublime breathed from the womb
where once abode our hope for all mankind.
Still circling, heavenly Lady, will I come,
till with thy holy presence thou hast filled,
In thy Son’s wake, the sphere which is thy home.”
Thus the entwining melody was sealed.
All other lights together cried aloud
And through the sphere the name of Mary pealed.
The regal mantle which on high doth shroud
the world’s revolving layers and, nearest Him,
is by God’s breath with liveliest love endowed.
So distant was, so far its nearest rim
above us that, for all my scrutiny
its aspect to my vision still was dim;
Wherefore my gaze could not accompany
the crowned flame which rising from below
to Heaven returned, following her progeny.
As motherwards a baby’s arms will go
When she has fed him at her breast, by love
His soul being kindled to this outward show
So I saw those white radiances move
and reaching upwards, after Mary clinging,
how deep their love towards her to me prove.
Then still within my sight they lingered, singing
Regina coeli with such dulcet sound
within me still the joy of it is ringing.
O what a fertile yield doth there abound,
o’erflowing from rich coffers which of old
on earth were acres of good seeding ground!
